The difference is now schools must have a written policy that meets the state's criteria. Before, maybe a school had a policy in place, but didn't write it down or didn't included all the language now required.

The impression I get from talking to superintendents about these policies a bulk of the time has been spent making sure the policy matches the state requirements.

Other districts in Bay County are approving anti-bullying policies as well. Essexville-Hampton had the first reading in March and approved it in April. http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2012/03/essexville-hampton_public_scho_16.html